Combination fixture support and base



I 2 Sheets-Sheet l D. SCHELL E SUPPORT AND BASE Filed Oct. 14. 1924 April 5 1927.

COMBINATION 'FIXTU-R awe/who: Java's? 5072622 April 5,1927.

D. SCHELL COMBINATION FIXTURE SUPPORT ANb BASE Filed Oct. 14. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 amen/ Bol fhyzkz SGZGZZ witness Patented Apr. 5, 1927..

PATENT o FFIcs. '1

DAVID SCHELL, OF MYERSTOWIIFENNSYLVANIAi COMBINATION FIXTURE SUPPORT AND BASE.

Application filed October 14, 1924. Serial No. 748,580.

My invention relates to improvements in 'devices'used at the outlets of electrical wiring ,for supporting fixtures,'sockets, snapswitches and other electrical contrivances, and one object of theinvention is to provide an extremely simple and inexpensive device wvhichmay be etfectivelyused in either of two relatively reversedfpositions, the device when in one position, being capable of use to support a fixture, and initsother position, being adapted to support a .socket, snap-switch or other electrical contrivance, provision being made whereby the usual insulated conductors may be tightly secured to the device when it isused in either posie tion. f

- Another object is toprovide simple and eflicient means for clampingthe conductors to the device, while still'further objects are to provide an arrangement of screw-receiv ing openings which will permit screws to be passed into a greaternumber of laths, than usual, and to provide other arrangements of openings which will receive the attaching screws for concealed receptacles, sockets, switches and the' like, even though the screw- ,receiving. openings of such electrical contrivances, may be spaced different distances apart. e. D 1

' Yet anothe'r aim is to provide a devlce which may be manufactured inexpensively and easily, and may be sold at a reasonable cost. V

With the foregoing in view, the invention resides in the novel subject matterhereinafter described and claimed, the description being supplemented by the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a sideelevation showing the device in use for supporting a fixture and holding the current conductors therefor. I

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view asindica ted byline 22 of Fig. 1, the canopy being omitted.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional View on line 38 of Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical section as indicated by line 44 of Fig. 1.

F'gure 5 is a perspective iew of the major portion of the device.

Figures 6 and 7 are detail elevations illustrating' the manneri l which the device may be used for supporting? a concealed recep-tacle or socl a, and a snap-switch.

In thedrawings above briefly described, the numeral 1 designates, a suitably shaped plate which is formed with a plurality of.

posed sides ofthe projection 4 are formed with grooves 5, two of thefgrooves' being formed in each of said sides, for receiving portions of the usualinsulated conductors 6. A suitably shaped conductor clamping plate 7 is provided to engage the outer sides of the conductors6, and a screw .8 passes through the center of said clamping plate-and may be threaded into either side of-the projection 4, according to the side at which the conductors are located The openings in the projection 4, for the reception, of the screw 8, are disclosed at 9. 'Should it be desired to have the device perform somewhat the function of a junction box, it will-be obvious that two pairs ofrconductors can. be clamped against the opposite sides of the projection 4, by using two clamping plates 7 and, two screws 8. 4

The projection 4 is formed with an open-- ing 10 at right angles to the plate" 1 and the wall of this opening is threaded for engage= this opening 12, the fixture wires 13 are passed to be secured in the usual manner to the conductors 6 as indicated at 14;

The plate 1 is apertured to receive the conductors 6, whether said plate beused in the position shownin Figs. lto 4 or in the reverse position disclosed in Figs. 6 and 7 in which theprojection 4 projects inwardly from the plate. In the present showing, two

openings 15 are shown in said plate at each of the grooved sides of the projection, the openings being in line with the rooves so that the conductors may be readily assed through said openings and engaged with the clamping means 7-8.

When the device is used with the projection 4 extending outwardly, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, it is intended primarily as a fixture support and it maybe covered by the usual canopy 16. When mounting concealed receptacles, sockets, snap-switches or the like, the plate 1 is secured to'the wall so that the projection 4 extends inwardly, as disclosed in Figs. 6 and 7. Then, the attaching screws 17 for the electrical contrivance, may be engaged with any of two groups of spaced openings 18 which are formed through the plate 1, at opposite sides of the projection 4. These openings are so spaced that some of them may be used for securing practically any socket, switch or the like to the plate, regardless of the dis- When using the device in the manner disclosed in. Figs. 6 and 7, the clamping plate 7 and screw 8, hold the conductors Gagainst the projection 4, in the samemanner as above set forth, and portions of these conductors pass through certain of theopenings 15 to the socket, switch or the like.

It will be seen fromthe foregoing, that an extremely simple and inexpensive device has been provided, yet one which will be highly efiicient and desirable, particular emphasis being laid upon the number of uses to which the single article may be put, thus greatly simplifying the wiring of dwellings and other buildings, as well asproviding more effective supporting means for fixtures and other electrical contrivances, than the supports now commonly used.

As excellent results have been obtained from the details disclosed, they are preferably followed, but within the scope of the invention as claimed, numerous modifications may be made.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described comprising a reversible plate means for effecting securing of either side of. the plate against a wall 'or ceiling, means, for securing current conductors to the plate when the latter is mounted in either of its relatively reversed positions, said plate being apertured to receive the conductors, and means at one side of said plate for securing an electrical illuminating fixture thereto when said side is exposed, said plate having means to facilitate the attachment thereto of other electrical contrivances when the other side of said plate is exposed.

2. A. device of theclass described comprising a reversible plate having openings to receive attaching screws for securing either side of the plate against a wall or ceiling, a rigid projection carried by one side of said plate, the plate being apertured adjacent said projection for the reception of current conductors, means for clamping the conductors against the exterior ofsaid projection when the plate is mounted in either of its relatively reversed positions, and

means at one side of said plate for securing an electrical illuminating fixture thereto when said side is exposed, said plate having tion for the reception of current conductors,

a clamping plate spaced outwardly from said projection and adapted to co-operate therewith in clamping the conductors, a tance which the screws'must be spaced apart.

screw-threaded fastener connecting said clamping plate with said projection for moving the former into clamping relation with the latter when the plate is mounted in either of its relatively reversed positions, and

means at one side of said plate for securing an electrical illuminating fixture thereto when said side .is exposed, said plate having means to facilitate the attachment thereto of other electrical contrivances when. the other side of said plate is exposed.

4. A device of the class described comprising a reversible fiat plate having openings to receive attaching screws for securing either side of the plate against a wall or ceiling, one side of said plate being provided with an integral block-like projection, the plate being apertured adjacent said projection for the reception of current conductors, means for securing the conductors to said projection when the plate is in either of its relatively reversed positions, and means for securing an electrical illuminating fixture to one side of the plate when said side is exposed, said plate having means to facilitate the attachment thereto of other electrical contrivances when the other side of said plate is exposed. i j

5. A device of the class described comprising a flat reversible plate having openings to receive attaching fasteners for securing either side of the plate against a wall or ceiling, one side of said plate being provided with an integral block-like projection, the plate being apertured adjacent said projection for the reception of'current conductors, said projection having one aperture at right angles to the plate formed with a threaded. wall of use in attaching an electrical fixture, and being also formed with a lateral opening from its exterior to its first named aperture, through which to pass conductors, a conductor-c1amping plate spaced outwardly from the aforesaid pro ect1on,

and a screw-threaded fastener connecting said clamping plate and projection, the first named plate having groups of spaced openings at opposite sides of the aforesaid projection, said groups of openings affordplate when the side of the latter opposite In said projection is exposed. I

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature,

DAVID SCHELL. 

